Federal Register: June 1, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 106)
DOCID: FR Doc 01-13755
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Farm Service Agency
NOTICE: NOTICES
ACTION: Meetings:
DOCUMENT ACTION: Notice of Interim National Drought Council meeting.
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
Interim National Drought Council
DATES: The Interim Council will meet on June 21, 2001, from 8:00 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) to 5:00 p.m. PDT at the Marriott Residence Inn, Portland DowntownRiverPlace, 2115 SW. River Parkway, Portland, Oregon, 97201, in the Broadway Room and on June 22, 2001, from 8:00 a.m. PDT to 12:00 noon PDT, at the National Water and Climate Center (NWCC) of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), 101 SW. Main Street, Suite 1600, in Portland, Oregon 972043224. The June 21 meeting will be a listening session to provide an opportunity for Federal, State, and local officials; practitioners; and the general public to give their input on how they are being affected by the current drought in the Pacific Northwest. On June 22, the Interim Council will assess its current overall effectiveness and discuss ways to improve its service delivery and assistance.
DOCUMENT SUMMARY:
The Interim National Drought Council (Interim Council) was established through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Federal Agencies; State, local, and tribal governments; and groups impacted by drought. The Interim Council's purpose is to coordinate activities between and among its members. All meetings are open to the public; however, seating is limited and available on a firstcome basis.
SUMMARY:
National Drought Policy Commission,
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
The purpose of the MOU is to establish a
more comprehensive, integrated, coordinated approach toward reducing the impacts of drought through better
[[Page 29763]]
preparedness, monitoring and prediction, risk management, and response
to drought emergencies in the United States. The Interim Council will
encourage cooperation and coordination between and among Federal,
State, local, and tribal governments and others, relative to
preparation for and response to serious drought emergencies. Activities
of the Interim Council include providing coordination to: (a) resolve
drought related issues, (b) exchange information about lessons learned,
and (c) improve public awareness of the need for drought planning and
mitigation measures. The Interim Council is cochaired by the Secretary
of Agriculture or her designee, and a nonFederal cochair, Ms. Ane D.
Deister, Executive Assistant to the General Manager, Metropolitan Water
District of Southern California, representing urban water interests.
Administrative staff support essential to the execution of the Interim Council's responsibilities shall be provided by USDA.
The Interim Council will continue in effect for 5 years or until Congress establishes a permanent National Drought Council.
If special accommodations are required, please contact Leona Dittus, at the address specified above, by COB June 18, 2001.
Signed at Washington, D.C., on May 24, 2001.
James R. Little,
Acting Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 0113755 Filed 53101; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 341005P
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Leona Dittus, Executive Director, Interim National Drought Council, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 6701S, STOP 0501, Washington, D.C., 202500501 or telephone (202) 7203168; FAX (202) 7209688; internet leona.dittus@usda.gov.